Persephone is not closing the book on Mercedes Moné. Far from it.
The AEW star made clear that she sees unfinished business in a potential third singles match with Moné, whose rivalry with Persephone currently stands at one victory apiece. But while that rubber match remains an obvious destination, Persephone says she has no intention of rushing back into it before dealing with several other issues competing for her attention.
In a recent interview, Persephone pointed to Maya World and Thunder Rosa among the names she wants to address before refocusing on Moné. Her message was characteristically blunt: there are too many people “bugging” her, and she intends to settle those scores one by one.
“We can’t shy past everything she’s done, the history she’s made, right? The career she’s built. It’s obviously an impressive one, but now she finally circled back around and finally won the title that she couldn’t win over and over and over again. What a loser. She finally won it, good for her, real proud of her.”
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Persephone’s remarks acknowledge Moné’s standing as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the division while also making it clear that she has no interest in offering a sincere celebration of her rival’s achievements. That combination has been central to the tension between the two: Moné’s résumé commands attention, but Persephone has already shown she believes that reputation does not put her beyond defeat.
Most importantly, Persephone did not speak about Moné as an opponent from her past. She spoke about her as an issue temporarily placed on hold.
“Right now, in this moment, I got a lot of people asking me. I’ve got beef with a bunch of different people. Mind you, they didn’t ask for it, they just came bothering me. I think I need to put a little nail in each coffin before I can circle back around to what really bothers me and what I really want.”
A series still waiting for a deciding match
A 1-1 singles record gives Persephone and Moné a simple, compelling framework should AEW choose to revisit their rivalry. Neither woman can claim complete control over the other, and Persephone plainly feels that her prior victory provides all the evidence she needs that she can beat Moné again.
That matters because Moné’s accomplishments can often shape the conversation around any match she enters. Persephone is actively resisting that dynamic. Rather than treating a match against Moné as a chance to prove she belongs in the ring with a major name, she is framing it as a fight she has already demonstrated she can win.
“I’ve beaten her once, we have each other’s number right now. I’ve beaten her once, I can do it again. No biggie.”
There is a notable confidence in that assessment, especially given that Persephone is not demanding an immediate rematch. She is not presenting a third bout as a distant fantasy or an impossible mountain to climb. In her view, it is a matter of timing. The rivalry can be resumed when she is ready to return to it.
That does not mean Moné will necessarily be willing to wait. A tied series creates a natural reason for Moné to seek another meeting as well, particularly if she believes a decisive win over Persephone is necessary to eliminate a dangerous challenger from the picture. Persephone’s comments, however, establish that she intends to dictate her own priorities rather than allowing Moné’s position or reputation to set her schedule.
Maya World and Thunder Rosa enter the picture
The immediate story is not solely about Moné. Persephone named Maya World and Thunder Rosa as other opponents with whom she has issues, broadening the range of potential AEW women’s division matchups ahead.
Persephone did not lay out a specific order for those confrontations, nor did she announce dates or matches. Still, she left little doubt that she considers these rivalries active. Her language suggests she sees herself as reacting to unwanted challenges and interruptions rather than searching for conflict without cause.
That distinction is important to the way Persephone is presenting herself. She does not believe these wrestlers are being unfairly drawn into her orbit. Instead, she believes they made the choice to involve themselves in her business, and now they must deal with the consequences.
“But, we’re going to wait because again, all these little girls are just bugging me, which is why we had to call in the doctor because it was getting to be too much.”
The “doctor” reference adds another layer to Persephone’s current presentation, though she did not expand on precisely what that involvement will mean moving forward. What is clear is that she sees the number of disputes around her as escalating to a point where additional support was needed.
For Maya World and Thunder Rosa, being named alongside Moné is significant. Persephone is placing each conflict inside the same larger mission: clear out the opponents she feels have interfered with her path, then circle back to the rivalry she considers her biggest remaining target.
Moné remains the long-term focus
Even while speaking about other names, Persephone returned repeatedly to Moné. That is the clearest indication of where her long-term attention lies.
Her criticism of Moné was pointed, but it was not dismissive in the sense of pretending Moné has not accomplished anything. Persephone specifically referenced the history Moné has made and the career she has built. The insult that followed was designed to undercut Moné’s latest success, not deny the stature that makes another match meaningful.
That is exactly why a third singles encounter would carry weight. Persephone is not chasing an opponent who lacks credibility. She wants to defeat a wrestler she openly recognizes as accomplished, then use that victory to reinforce the idea that Moné’s legacy does not protect her when they are in the ring together.
Moné, meanwhile, would have the opportunity to move ahead in a rivalry that is currently dead even. A deciding victory would give either wrestler a strong claim over the other, at least in singles competition. As things stand, the split record leaves both with an argument and neither with finality.
What the September 9 Dynamite appearance means
Both Moné and Persephone appeared on the September 9 episode of AEW Dynamite, keeping each woman visible as their respective stories continue. No further match result or storyline development was specified in Persephone’s comments, but the shared appearance ensured that the two remained part of the same ongoing AEW landscape.
For Persephone, that visibility comes at a pivotal time. She has positioned herself at the intersection of multiple possible programs. There is the unresolved Moné series, the stated problems with Maya World and Thunder Rosa, and the unexplained but increasingly notable doctor element referenced in her interview.
Each thread could affect when, and under what circumstances, Persephone finally returns to Moné. A loss to one of her other targets could delay her momentum. A string of victories could make her demand for a deciding match with Moné even more forceful. And if another confrontation causes the tension between Persephone and Moné to reignite sooner than expected, their plans could change immediately.
For now, Persephone’s position is straightforward. She is not avoiding Mercedes Moné. She believes their rivalry will continue, and she remains convinced that she can defeat Moné again. Before that happens, though, Persephone wants to finish the business she says others created for her.
With the singles series tied and several fresh opponents in her sights, Persephone has made one thing clear: Moné may be waiting at the end of the road, but she is not the only person who needs to watch her back.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.